1
2
as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
distracted by the looming tax deadline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in diverting
to draw the attention or mind to something else
we were distracted from our discussion by the noise outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bothering
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
distracted by the looming tax deadline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in confounding
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of distracting
David Bloom, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Cho, as the perceptive and generous Jin, distracted from his own family troubles by the sudden flashes of Casey’s bright light, is wise and rejuvenated; disinterested admiration makes this man, who looks to be in his forties, nearly a teen-ager again.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
Or dedicate even 10 minutes each day to completely unplug, without any phones or screens that may distract you from slow, awkward stillness.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 17 June 2025
Meanwhile, a source added that the incident was an accident and Smith was not under the influence nor distracted by his phone.
—Daniela Avila, People.com, 17 June 2025
To stop drivers from getting distracted, the feature will work only when the car is parked.
—Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 16 June 2025
Grayson uses a walking toy to move down the hall, but gets distracted by the TV.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
Hogg’s decision to wade into primary battles incensed Democrats, who accused him of distracting from the fight against Trump.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
Sending in the National Guard was an obvious military flex, designed to to bait Angelenos while perhaps distracting Americans from Trump’s far greater troubles.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
While most of the acting is wonderful (Wyle is predictably great, but so is just about all of the main cast), some patient-of-the-week players err towards distracting histrionics.
—Judy Berman, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
For instance, many autistic people have a heightened sense of hearing, and loud noises, rattling sounds or even electricity can be distracting in the work environment.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Anyone who has ever worked on a movie set knows that the cast and crew dread the days when the studio suits show up, stumbling over cables, distracting the talent, and walking in front of the camera.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 27 Mar. 2025
By appearing at ringside and distracting Lee, Van Dam created an opening for Evans to secure the victory.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
But the choice to use CGI is jarring, distracting from the dwarfs' otherwise delightful introduction in the film.
—Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025
While the venerable actor remains one of our greats, his toggling back and forth between playing New York mob kingpin Frank Costello and portraying gone-rogue former buddy Vito Genovese ultimately proves distracting and is wholly unnecessary.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025
Two of them began arguing, distracting the guards, thereby allowing the third, who wore a trenchcoat, a fake beard, and a tweed hat, to covertly affix a painting to the wall using double-sided tape.
—Alex Scordelis, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
Shepherding that split to reality will leave WBD leadership distracted for a year, Martin estimated.
—David Bloom, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Cho, as the perceptive and generous Jin, distracted from his own family troubles by the sudden flashes of Casey’s bright light, is wise and rejuvenated; disinterested admiration makes this man, who looks to be in his forties, nearly a teen-ager again.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
Or dedicate even 10 minutes each day to completely unplug, without any phones or screens that may distract you from slow, awkward stillness.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 17 June 2025
Meanwhile, a source added that the incident was an accident and Smith was not under the influence nor distracted by his phone.
—Daniela Avila, People.com, 17 June 2025
To stop drivers from getting distracted, the feature will work only when the car is parked.
—Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 16 June 2025
Grayson uses a walking toy to move down the hall, but gets distracted by the TV.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
Hogg’s decision to wade into primary battles incensed Democrats, who accused him of distracting from the fight against Trump.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
Sending in the National Guard was an obvious military flex, designed to to bait Angelenos while perhaps distracting Americans from Trump’s far greater troubles.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Adjective
Occupying and distracting the mind.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
While most of the acting is wonderful (Wyle is predictably great, but so is just about all of the main cast), some patient-of-the-week players err towards distracting histrionics.
—Judy Berman, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
For instance, many autistic people have a heightened sense of hearing, and loud noises, rattling sounds or even electricity can be distracting in the work environment.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Anyone who has ever worked on a movie set knows that the cast and crew dread the days when the studio suits show up, stumbling over cables, distracting the talent, and walking in front of the camera.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 27 Mar. 2025
By appearing at ringside and distracting Lee, Van Dam created an opening for Evans to secure the victory.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
But the choice to use CGI is jarring, distracting from the dwarfs' otherwise delightful introduction in the film.
—Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025
While the venerable actor remains one of our greats, his toggling back and forth between playing New York mob kingpin Frank Costello and portraying gone-rogue former buddy Vito Genovese ultimately proves distracting and is wholly unnecessary.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025
Two of them began arguing, distracting the guards, thereby allowing the third, who wore a trenchcoat, a fake beard, and a tweed hat, to covertly affix a painting to the wall using double-sided tape.
—Alex Scordelis, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracting
Adjective
-
The growing complexity of the guidelines is all the more perplexing because the government’s overarching advice on how to eat healthier hasn’t changed that much over the past 35 years.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
23 June 2025
-
Forecasters point to perplexing planetary phenomenon.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
The description is a bit over the top, but what seems even more puzzling is that the restoration was financed by an industrial shipyard.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
20 June 2025
-
All that said, the this weekend’s Matchday 17 schedule is extremely puzzling, particularly the early portion of it, in which there are two matches that will clash significantly with the UEFA Champions League Final between Paris-St. Germain and Inter Milan.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Along with his father and grandfather, Bambino gets to work sweeping up the stars in a cute, but wildly inaccurate, explanation for the phases of the Moon.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
20 June 2025
-
Cambodia has been using the map as a reference to claim territory, while Thailand has argued the map is inaccurate.—
Sopheng Cheang,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
This book is his opus, one bewildering, confusing, meandering, and disorienting episodic tale after another involving reporters, runways, and casinos, back when Vegas was gloriously trashy.—
Brian Boone,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
-
The judge’s tone is one of bewilderment because these circumstances are indeed bewildering, and no doubt would be to the Founding Fathers who expressly rejected monarchy and established a system of government where the citizenry would be free to express its discontent at government policies.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
Consider a car engine: Removing deposits and sludge (inaccurate, outdated, irrelevant and incorrect information) reduces friction, while clean oil (large language models and AI) ensures smooth performance.—
Savinay Berry,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
-
The buzzer was heard since that number was incorrect and the price of the car increased to 50 cents.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Execution: With these tools in place, fraudsters can open fraudulent accounts, apply for loans and carry out high-value transactions, all while appearing completely legitimate.—
Parya Lotfi,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
This includes Amazon allowing small businesses to make multiple appeals when fighting a fraudulent return.—
Katie Tarasov,
CNBC,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
This is a duplicitous, murderous regime that isn’t interested in dialogue.—
Danielle Wallace , Beth Bailey,
FOXNews.com,
22 June 2025
-
Michelle Wu’s duplicitous stunt demanding Freedom of Information responses from ICE is just the latest laughable Democratic tactic to stoke opposition to President Donald Trump’s deportation roundup.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
In this edition, the grey tone reflects the muted, misty landscape of the British coast, with subtle variations achieved through multiple layers of transparent lacquer.—
Matthew Catellier,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
The boxy shape and subtle back snaps add airflow and style, and the whole outfit can be rinsed in a hotel sink and re-worn with no stress.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distracting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracting. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share